I'm not even going to write an introduction to this article, I'll just come right out and say it. Do people really give a damn whether A-Rod participates in the Home Run Derby?!
Of course, why didn't I realize this before? It's the last All-Star game at Yankee Stadium and it's going to be in front of his home fans...BFD!!! What obligation does he have to the fans after they almost booed him out of New York a couple years ago?
Much to my surprise, the media has been sympathetic to A-Rod's reasoning for pulling out of the derby. For some players, swinging for the fences multiple times in a short amount of time can actually damage their mental state, thus resulting in physical stress and poor mechanics.
The way it works is the mind wants to hit the home run, but as time goes on and fatigue becomes a factor the body can't produce. Meanwhile, all mechanics go out the door and you're left with a sloppy swing, a mental dilemma, and total lack of composure and discipline.
What I found intriguing was A-Rod's stats after he participated in the Home Run Derby in 2002, in which he hit .294 with 30 homers and 69 RBI for the rest of the season.
For the rest of July, he went 15-55 and hit five homers. That's remarkable for a lot of guys, but for A-Rod that's only a .273 average. We've seen slumping numbers before following the Home Run Derby.
The most notable one being Bobby Abreu in the 2005 season. He had 18 home runs by the All-Star break yet he finished the year with only 24. Don't forget that he was hitting .307 going into the derby, and he hit .260 afterward.
Remember David Wright in 2006? He had 20 homers going into the derby yet he finished the year with 26.
All the hitters who can perform in an event like the Home Run Derby and cease to feel the effects in the aftermath are the ideal participants. Guys like Jason Giambi or Ryan Howard come to mind because they swing for the fences every single time.
Given the current offensive situation with the Yankees and their quest for their 27th World Series, A-Rod needs to be focused and produce runs. Stick with what you've been doing Alex, the Yankees are going to need you in the second half.
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3 months ago
I'm really torn on this issue. I think he should compete because it's in Yankee Stadium, but if it really does mess up your swing, he should stay away.
3 months ago
It was a good call, but maybe a selfish one too considering the last year in Yanbkee Stadium..the mick never passed. He would do well on passing on extr-marital affaris; because his bat aint doing nothing for us this year....we need pitching, a bull pen, a right fielder (Abreu stinks dude, DH him), a left fielder, and maybe center and second base too...a new team. Or maybe just Bonds, and Clemens; unless we want to let Mitchell Manage our team too
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